BREAKING NEWS

Former NBA player Javaris Crittenton takes plea in murder case

ATLANTA - Former NBA player and Georgia Tech standout Javaris Crittenton pleaded guilty in court Wednesday to the 2011 murder of a mother of four.

Crittenton, an alleged gang member, was connected to the shooting death of Atlanta mother Julian Jones. Prosecutors claimed Crittenton was aiming for the man who allegedly robbed him days earlier, and did not intend to shoot Jones.

Crittenton was emotional as he apologized to Jones' family in court Wednesday.

"I'm sorry for what I did," Crittenton said. "I would give my life to replace Julian's in a heartbeat."

Wednesday's court appearance was the first time Crittenton admitted to shooting the mother of four as she walked on Macon Drive in 2011.

Jones' aunt directed her anger at Crittenton at the former basketball star.

"You were selfish. You didn't think about nobody, but yourself that day," Howell said.

As part of a plea deal, Crittenton is sentenced to 23 years in prison, must mentor young people upon release, and cannot profit from this story while in prison or on probation.

Crittenton's cousin, Douglas Gamble, who was in the car at the time of the shooting, was sentenced to three years in custody.

Crittenton went to high school at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He helped lead Georgia Tech to a 20-12 record and a berth in the NCAA tournament in 2007 as a freshman.